UAE: Teachers and educational admin staff encouraged to take Covid-19 vaccine

A senior UAE government official has encouraged employees in public and private educational institutions in the country, including teachers and administrative staff, to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council said that by doing so they would accelerate the return to normalcy of schools and would also help the UAE achieve its target of vaccinating 50 per cent of its population in the first quarter of 2021.

He made the statement during a virtual meeting of the council during which the minister stressed that overcoming this phase of the pandemic requires cooperation of all members of the community, reported news agency WAM.

The council discussed the enrolment conditions for nurseries and elementary education, including setting the required age of enrolment to four years of age for the first year of nursery, and six years for the first year of elementary education starting August 31 for the 2021-2022 academic year.

The Ministry of Education and local education authorities agreed to set the date for receiving students in private schools from India, Pakistan and Japan, as well as starting the academic year in April, and accepting students of the appropriate age on March 31 for the 2021-2022 academic year.

“We look forward to the return of our sons and daughters to their schools, to develop their capacities and skills in a safe and healthy academic environment where they can be overachievers, preparing a promising generation capable of leading the country in the future,” said Sheikh Abdullah

As of January 5, health authorities in the UAE revealed that eight per cent of the population, had already received the vaccine. They added that 826,301 doses of the vaccine were already administered, equivalent to 47,000 doses per day.

Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have rolled out extensive free Covid-19 vaccination campaigns.

In Dubai, the Pfizer-BioNTech is available at six DHA facilities, including Zabeel Health Centre, Al Mizhar Health Centre, Nad Al Hamar Health Centre, Al Barsha Health Centre, Uptown Occupational Health Screening Centre and Hatta Hospital. UAE residents can register and book appointments for receiving it through the DHA app or the toll-free number 800 342.

Read: Covid-19: All you need to know about Dubai’s Pfizer vaccination campaign

Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre launched the ‘Choose to Vaccinate’ campaign to encourage residents of the emirate to opt for the vaccine.

Read: Abu Dhabi launches free Covid-19 vaccination campaign